#function for reading in relevant things like estimation sample, transition probabilities, etc
function Readin(dir::String)
    #estimation sample
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\estimation_sample.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    estim_data = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    #data for simulation
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\simulation_sample.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    simul_data = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    #transition probabilities
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\trans_probs_v2.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    #temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\trans_probs.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    trans_probs = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    #division characteristics
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\div_chars.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    div_chars = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    package = [estim_data, simul_data, trans_probs, div_chars] #collect
    package #return
end


#function for reading in relevant things like estimation sample, transition probabilities, etc
function Readin_blacks(dir::String)
    #estimation sample
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\estimation_sample_blacks.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    estim_data = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    #data for simulation
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\simulation_sample_blacks.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    simul_data = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    #transition probabilities
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\trans_probs_blacks_v2.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    #temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\trans_probs_blacks.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    trans_probs = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    #division characteristics
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\div_chars_blacks.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    div_chars = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    package = [estim_data, simul_data, trans_probs, div_chars] #collect
    package #return
end

#function for reading in relevant things like estimation sample, transition probabilities, etc
function Readin_whites(dir::String)

    #estimation sample
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\estimation_sample_whites.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    estim_data = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    #data for simulation
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\simulation_sample_whites.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    simul_data = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    #transition probabilities
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\trans_probs_whites_v2.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    #temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\trans_probs_whites.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    trans_probs = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    #division characteristics
    temp = CSV.read("$dir\\utilities\\div_chars_whites.csv", DataFrame; skipto=1)
    div_chars = Array{Float64,2}(temp)

    package = [estim_data, simul_data, trans_probs, div_chars] #collect
    package #return

end
